Exploring Ketchikan’s Creek Street and Salmon Walk

Visiting Ketchikan means checking off one of the many iconic Alaskan sights: Creek Street and the Salmon Trail. If you’re planning a cruise through Southeast Alaska you’ve no doubt seen Ketchikan’s Creek Street as a highlight of this beautiful port. There’s more to Creek Street though than just walking through the shops. There are historic buildings with interesting stories, museums, wildlife and even dining.

We’ve picked what we think are the highlights of visiting Creek Street in Ketchikan and what you can’t miss when you come here. Whether you’re visiting on your own or via cruise ship, we’ve got tips to make this fun place a part of your trip. If you have any questions about visiting Ketchikan or planning a Southeast Alaska please leave a comment or send us a note. We’re always happy to share more and help you plan a great visit to Alaska!

Highlights of Ketchikan’s Creek Street and Salmon Walk

I love the vibe of the old timey areas of Southeast Alaska’s port towns. Ketchikan has a mix of lumber, mining and fishing history and all of that is reflected when you walk along Creek Street. If you’re arriving via cruise ship, it’s only a few blocks over to the famous iconic boardwalk and should take you no more than ten minutes to get there.

Although it seems easy to start at the Chief Johnson Totem Pole, one of the tallest totem poles in Alaska, it actually makes more sense to walk along Stedman Street and cross the bridge over the creek and begin the boardwalk there. This way you can see the salmon coming in from the harbor and follow them up, making stops at Dolly’s House, the different shops and cafes, and then eventually get to the crossover. Here you’ll get a lovely view down the creek at all the old buildings on stilts. It’s pretty cool. This isn’t the end though! Cross back to the far side of Creek Street away from the parking area and continuing following the stream upriver.

This will bring you to the fish ladder, which is really cool to see. You can view the fish from above as they migrate by the hundreds up to their spawning grounds. Looking both in the stream and the fish ladder, you can easily see the amazing life event that is the annual salmon spawning. Keep on going on the walk, also called the Married Man’s Walk or the Salmon Walk, and you’ll come to the driving street, Park Ave. If you cross the street you’ll be able to see where the creek opens up and the water shallows out. It’s very rocky and this is where the salmon are heading to spawn.

NOTE: DO NOT WALK IN THE STREAM. The salmon lay their eggs here and human footsteps in the river can destroy the reds (egg beds).

Tips for Walking Creek Street and the Salmon Walk

When you’re visiting Creek Streek in Ketchikan, there are lots of places to stop into, whether you want to buy art, check out local gems and rockhounding shops or if you want to bring home smoked or canned salmon. There is more to this area though! At the Creek Street crossing over to the parking area, you’ll come up to the Chief Johnson Totem Pole. It’s impressive and beautiful, worth taking some time to check out.

Also on this side of Creek Street is the Tongass Historical Museum. It overlooks the stream and has another beautiful totem pole outside, so you can’t miss it. The Tongass Historical Museum is a good place to learn all about Ketchikan, its different industries over the years, and of course the Tlingit Nation who’s occupied this land for thousands of years. There are some great exhibits in the museum that are a good way to gain some insight into the community and culture of Ketchikan.

Another place to visit that’s walking distance and the continuation of the Salmon Walk is the Totem Heritage Center. Located in the neighborhood around the bend, the Totem Heritage Center is all about both how totem poles have historically been made, their meanings for the villages that raise them, and the culture that keeps the Tlingit formline art alive. I love this museum.

What You’ll Find on Creek Street

So what all is actually along Creek Street? Lots! Yes, it’s mostly shops, but there are some restaurants and sights as well, and then if you go just off Creek Street there’s even more. Here is everything you’ll find right around Creek Street:

• Creek Street Bridge – cool for watching salmon
• Creek Street sign – photo spot
• Dolly’s House – historic brothel (entry fee)
• Niblick’s General Store – nicer souvenirs and local products
• Poker Creek Gold – gems and goldmining themed stuff
• Sam McGee’s – rocks, gems and Alaskan art
• Cape Fox Tram – funicular up the hill to the Cape Fox Lodge (small fee)
• Simply Salmon – lots and lots of smoked salmon and canned salmon products
• Alaska Eagle Arts – beautiful galleries with local art and Tlingit formline art
• Married Man’s Trail and the Salmon Walk – watch salmon swimming upstream and views
• Salmon Ladder – easy place to watch the salmon jump
• Ketchikan Creek spawning area – watch salmon in the stream

There’s more to downtown Ketchikan and the wharf area, so enjoy exploring on foot a bit!

Being Prepared for Walking Around Ketchikan

Creek Street in Ketchikan is an easy walk with not much elevation change until you get to the Salmon Walk and fish ladder. There are some stairs here, but not many. Easy walking shoes is all you need to explore the town on foot. Ketchikan can be really rainy though, so when you head out to do Creek Street and the surrounding sites, bring an umbrella and dress for the weather you see. I like to dress for the weather I hope for, and here in Ketchikan that’s just not a thing. There are plenty of places to pop into to take shelter, but being prepared is best, that way you can enjoy the full run of Creek Street, the Salmon Walk and all the way to the Totem Heritage Center.

I like to keep my big camera with me at all times, and Creek Street is no different. There are some beautiful shots you can get of the old stilt buildings as you stroll through the neighborhood. Also the salmon as they head upstream and then in the shallows for spawning are beautiful to photograph as well. You know what you enjoy and what gear will be best for you, but there really are a lot of photo ops through this historic part of Ketchikan.

Parking for Creek Street and Downtown Ketchikan

We like to travel on our own, but I know a lot of people come into Ketchikan on cruise ships. If you’re driving yourself or just staying in town, there is parking at the north end of Creek Street by the Tongass Historical Museum. There is also bus service all around town that actually has a stop here, so if you’re staying outside of Ketchikan’s historic center, you can still get to Creek Street easily.

For cruise guests, it’s an easy walk directly away from the cruise docks past the jewelry stores and shops until you get to Creek Street. It’s maybe ten minutes and then you can take your time meandering back to your boat when you’re done. If you do continue all the way to the Totem Heritage Center, it’s an easy walk back down the way you came or you can make it a loop by walking on Deermount Street. This will give you the chance to check out more of the harbor as well.

More Things to Do in Ketchikan

Ketchikan is such a cool town and it’s a wonderful place to explore for several days. If you’re only able to stop in for a little bit from a cruise ship, that’s fine too, but you’re going to want to come back and explore on your own in the future. What makes Ketchikan such a great town to visit is the combination of Alaska Native culture and all the elements that come to mind when you think of Alaska: salmon, mining, timber, landscapes. Ketchikan can be a wonderfully active town to visit or you can arrive and spend a few days relaxing.

As you plan your time in Ketchikan, think about how you want to mix up your activities. You can plan tours on the water or to visit different parts of Ketchikan to learn about Tlingit culture or nature. There are some walking tours to dig into the food scene or you can enjoy the Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show. Do you need a car when you come to town? No, not necessarily and downtown is very walkable, even beyond Creek Street, and there is a bus system that goes to some further away spots. A car is nice though, as that open you up to hiking and traveling around the island freely.

Here are are recommendations for things to do in Ketchikan:

Where to Stay in Ketchikan

If you’re lucky enough to get to spend several days in Ketchikan, there are some fun options for hotels around down town. For visitors with their own cars, you can consider something outside of the immediate downtown area and not need to worry about parking. I will say, there are some cool places to stay just off Creek Street, which puts you right in one of the most iconic Alaskan neighborhoods. You can even stay at the Cape Fox Lodge overlooking downtown and then take the funicular down to the main area. Some hotels in Ketchikan offer shuttle service between the hotel and downtown or the airport ferry terminal, so if you want to enjoy a more quiet stay, you can still easily get about town without a car.